AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2005 > September > 04 > Entry

Tech the better team on The Plains


Mark Bradley

Auburn, Ala. â€â€? Chan Gailey is 2-0 against Auburn. Reggie Ball is 2-0 against Auburn. Georgia Tech is 1-0 in 2005. Auburn, which didn’t lose last season, hasn’t won in this one. A lot of funny things happened here on a long hot Saturday night, but the most remarkable part was this:

There was nothing really funny about it. Tech was the better team. Tech was better than a team that hadn’t lost in 22 months. Think about that.

Tech jumped ahead and held on. Tech took better care of the football. The infamously erratic Reggie Ball threw only one interception, and the fledgling Tiger starter Brandon Cox threw four in the second half.

Gailey coached a terrific game. Tommy Tuberville, by way of contrast, abandoned the run way too early and doubtless is feeling the hot breath of Bobby Petrino, who nearly became Auburn’s coach the last time Tuberville lost a game, on the back of his skinny neck. Gailey, recently named the nation’s worst coach by SI.com, roundly outflanked the 2004 national coach of the year, which says something about SI.com and something about Tuberville but far more about the unassuming man who says nothing of note but up and beats somebody of note every blessed season.

The Jackets played it the way they had to play it: They scored on their first two possessions and thrust Auburn into a double-digit hole for the first time since calendar 2003. They could have put the game away 10 minutes earlier â€â€? Cox was terrible down the stretch, turning the ball over on five consecutive possessions â€â€? but it’s not the Jackets’ way to make things easy on themselves. But Travis Bell kicked a field goal with 92 seconds left to clinch it, and the strangest part was that a goodly number of Auburn fans had already taken their leave. Their team had been handled this night, and they knew it.

The last visitor to win its season opener in forbidding Jordan-Hare Stadium has done rather well for itself since. Southern Cal came here and won on Aug. 30, 2003, and the Trojans have gone on to consecutive national championships. This isn’t to suggest that Tech is aiming quite so high, but on the strength of this poised and powerful performance the Jackets are every bit a Top 25 team.

P.J. Daniels gained 111 yards. Ball completed eight of his first 10 passes. Calvin Johnson scored the essential first touchdown on a fade route, and Auburn should have asked another band of Tigers â€â€? the ones housed at Clemson â€â€? how effectively Johnson runs the fade in televised night games in the month of September. He essentially beat Clemson at Death Valley at the end of a breathless game 51 weeks ago, and here he’d given the Jackets a flying start into 2005.

Auburn finally got going, but something about this game seemed too big for the Tigers’ new backfield and its new defensive coordinator. Auburn could never get a handle on Daniels, and Cox kept completing passes to put the Tigers in position to take the lead, whereupon he would throw the ball to the Jackets and forfeit the chance.

The last interception was the killer. Needing a touchdown to win, Cox threw late over the middle. Gerris Wilkinson intercepted and returned the ball to the Auburn 20. The Jackets had only to cash in a field goal to nail this one down, and even a silly holding penalty â€â€? on a run up the middle! â€â€? couldn’t undo them.

They’d come too far and played too well. There have been times â€â€? at Florida State in 2003 and against Virginia Tech last season â€â€? when the Jackets squandered such chances, but clearly they’ve learned from failure. They got their field goal and took their famous victory and gave themselves a chance to make something truly major out of this new season. They went on the road and whipped a team that nobody could whip last year. Think about that.

Permalink | Comments (56) | Categories: Mark Bradley, Tech / ACC

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By Me

September 4, 2005 01:37 AM | Link to this

GT has been dominating ever since the 2nd half of the UGA game, the entire Syracuse bowl game, and now this incredible win. Looks like GT has finally gotten over the hump and is back on the national scene.

By mtraininjax

September 4, 2005 01:46 AM | Link to this

Well, I will wear the egg and be the first to say so. Tech could have easily lost, Auburn just had to march down the field and score, their slant throws were golden, but someone upstairs wanted Tech to win. Reggie performed the same way he did as a freshman. Now, Tech, let’s build on this win, return the favor to UNC, beat Uconn and roll into Va Tech as the dog and see what happens. Good win!

By ylojk8

September 4, 2005 01:53 AM | Link to this

“Gailey, recently named the nation’s worst coach by SI.com, roundly outflanked the 2004 national coach of the year, which says something about SI.com and something about Tuberville but far more about the unassuming man who says nothing of note but up and beats somebody of note every blessed season.”

I LOVE this quote .. especially the last part about the unassuming man.

By Matthew

September 4, 2005 01:55 AM | Link to this

That’ll do, Bugs…

That’ll do.

See you in November!

By Island Dawg

September 4, 2005 02:08 AM | Link to this

Great game, Tech! Good enough to beat us? Not sure, but hope y’all do well til late November.

By JR

September 4, 2005 02:09 AM | Link to this

Glad to the the boys stand up and get their win.

Proud of my team. Congrats.

Lets keep the win in perspective, and get at our next opponant. One game at a time is a trite thing in an interview, but the only way to live during a college football season.

A nice D shows the nation what it can do. Maybe even enough to get ranked? We will see.

Go Tech!

By feng_shui_ed

September 4, 2005 02:24 AM | Link to this

A great win for Tech!

The play calling on offense and defense was very good……Tech beat a very good Auburn Tiger Team…..

Reggie did a great job at QB…..he made numerous athletic plays and maybe more important, played smart. The lob into the end zone was a poor play, but he caught a break….when no one intercepted him.

PJ looked great…..looked like a belonged….

A Tech win at Auburn will be savored for years to come…..thank-you…..thank-you

The kicking game wasn’t bad, especially the money field goals……

Tech looked smart and made plays….fun fun fun……

November is a season away…..we’ll get there soon enough….

Yea Jackets!

By 88alum

September 4, 2005 02:32 AM | Link to this

The next few days will tell a tale. If the team has matured, it will give up high fives and interviews this week in preparation for the next game. A week without Reggie Ball quotes of how we will win the rest of our games would be a nice start.

By STEVE

September 4, 2005 02:33 AM | Link to this

This win reminds me of another improbable Tech win by the same score — Tech defeated Notre Dame 23-14 in 1976 without throwing a pass. The Tech ccohing staff clearly outcoached Auburn for the second time in 3 years. This was a classic win which goes up there with some of the great Tech wins ever.

By 88alum

September 4, 2005 02:36 AM | Link to this

Fantastic win but have a few areas to strengthen if we expect to win rather than survive a late push in a tight game: special team consistency, eliminate poor arm tackling in 1on1 coverage situations, continued patience for the right end zone pass from Ball. On the plus side, the offensive line deserves the game ball.

By feng_shui_ed

September 4, 2005 02:59 AM | Link to this

I would like to compliment the defense and offensive line they were “difference makers” with out a doubt……they did it against a very good team….

By RM

September 4, 2005 03:51 AM | Link to this

Tech has a top 10 defense. As long as Reggie doesn’t play like he did last year, with Calvin Johnson & PJ Daniels… Tech can be a scary team.

By ThatsaFAQ

September 4, 2005 07:49 AM | Link to this

That was some intense ballgame!! Great atmosphere. The fans, (Both sides) into it in a big way. National TV. All the ingredients for a rebirth of a great rivalry. Auburn vs Georgia Tech EVERY season! Somebody make it happen!!

By Brian Hunt

September 4, 2005 08:48 AM | Link to this

What an upset! It’s not TCU over OK, but it’s darn close! Go Jackets!

By wes

September 4, 2005 09:05 AM | Link to this

Wow! Tech handled AU, who has probably THE 2 best defensive ends in the country(outisde EH). Auburn has outstanding receivers and they did make some great YAC. This is the best hangover I’ve ever had!

By the way, I told you AU fans to get ready for A$$ whooping #2!!!!!

And my prediction of GT 20, AU 16 turned out to be pretty good.

But don’t despair AU fans, Cox reminded me a little bit of David Greene, a guy who gave the Yellow Jackets fits, actually 4 fits in a row. AU will go on and have a good year. They were tough.

By Frank Dukes

September 4, 2005 09:29 AM | Link to this

I was prepared to see Tech get wiped out in The Plains, but the biggest mistake of the game was Auburn’s election to kick off to Tech, after Auburn won the opening toss. Tech promptly went to work and rammed that decision down the Tigers’ throat. The vaunted Auburn defense was no match. That was the ball game, as Tech continued to outplay and outcoach Auburn. As an alumnus of schools, I was pulling for Tech all the way.

By elcarg

September 4, 2005 09:32 AM | Link to this

Good game Tech. Auburn fans what a bittersweet game. Cox and the defense destroyed at times, yet the former faltered late and the latter put us in a big hole.

Find a a back to run forward — Carl Stewart please — and let’s grind out some wins and build for something great.

War Eagle!

By Buzzsaw

September 4, 2005 10:50 AM | Link to this

I was impressed with the play of Jamal Lewis. He made several key plays and tackled well in open field situations. He really stepped it up in place of Houston. Also, Pat Clark made several tough catches late in the game and wound up as Tech’s reception leader. Eric Henderson came on in the second half and had numerous pressures. He show why he will be considered on of the nations top D-ends at the end of the season (barring injury).

I agree with Alum88. Let’s not forget the embarrassment we suffered at the hands of the Tar Heels last year.

By wayne

September 4, 2005 11:15 AM | Link to this

It was a great win. To his credit, Reggie did not shoot himself in the foot as he’s been prone to do in the past, but he still did not make the great plays (or some of the simple plays) that we need him to make if we are going to reach the next level.

By old Tech fan (in NC)

September 4, 2005 11:20 AM | Link to this

Fun game to watch…fast start and tough enough at the end. Now, hopefully there is a “Wreck-ectifier” available that will level out that awful sine wave action of last year and we can/will whip the Tar Holes!

ps: practice tackling!

By AUBURN SUX

September 4, 2005 11:32 AM | Link to this

Matt get some sex and get off our blog. GO JACKETS GO JACKETS GO JACKETS GO JACKETS GO JACKETS GO JACKETS.

By Chris

September 4, 2005 11:38 AM | Link to this

Did anyone else wonder why we so often lined up in shotgun formation on 1st down? We were awfully lucky that Reggie didn’t get happy feet or lock in on Auburn’s defenders (as Cox seemed to do with ours), and our running game was effective, so why did we continually put ourselves in the position to give it away? Luckily, Reggie was efficient and the defense (aside from missed arm tackles) played well. Probably won’t get it done next week, but great win nonetheless. KaMichael is back…be afraid.

By Amazed

September 4, 2005 11:56 AM | Link to this

First, congratulations to GT, played a great game in a hostile environment… but I think the comments that Tech beat a great Auburn team is a bit premature; we shall see if this Auburn team is any good in the weeks to come. Bottom line, Auburn lost 4 first round draft picks, 3 of whom were in the backfield. Auburn has to find a real running back and give Cox some more reps before we can accurately assess how great this team is - just remember Tech fans, if SI.com is unsound for naming Tubby the coach of the year (2004) and Gailey the worst coach in America, then why does it matter that Auburn was ranked - they certainly should not have been to start the season…

P.S. JR, I guess you are not a Tech graduate, or even a high school graduate, but you spell “opponant” is actually spelled with an “E” - you’ll get em next tome!

By OC Jacket

September 4, 2005 01:52 PM | Link to this

Great game …. Positives:

  1. OL - beyond expectations. Period. Game ball.
  2. DL - shut run down against BIG Auburn OL.
  3. Reggie only 1 TO ..key to season
  4. Jamaal Lewis ..steped up BIG time
  5. Pat Clark - Possession receiver!
  6. Punting and kicking … perfect!

Could have gone better …

  1. Secondary .. surprising ..veterans struggled more than a bit
  2. Gailey “conservative/not going for juggular playcalling”. Several 2 and 1’s short runs and squib kick before half made no sense. We NEED to put teams away earlier when the chance is there.

Always good when the positives outweigh on NATIONAL TV.

By Nicholas

September 4, 2005 02:39 PM | Link to this

Not much left to say but, how about the punter for tech. Every time the O struggled he put Auburn inside the 10 . Yes our D promptly let Auburn move the ball, but imagine if they started out past the thirty on most of those drives. Auburn would have easily had at least a few more field goals and probably won the game. Game ball to the punt team and o line.

By Matthew

September 4, 2005 02:49 PM | Link to this

Auburn Sux, AJCsux, whoever you are…

Are so stupid that you don’t understand when your team is being paid a compliment by someone (me) who hates the Bugs as much as I do?

Also, you’re such a p—-y, that not only do your not use your name to back up the s—t you talk in these blogs, but you also use a FAKE email address!

What a f—-ing p—-y!

By John Manautou

September 4, 2005 02:50 PM | Link to this

I can’t believe I’m saying this being a dawg fan, but great win last night Tech.

If you guys can get some wins this year the match up between the dawgs and tech this year will really heat up!

By c mcmillan

September 4, 2005 03:10 PM | Link to this

See what happens when you are exciting on offense and Reggie makes few mistakes. The gold pants and white tops that have been around since Dodd helped too.

By Tom

September 4, 2005 03:34 PM | Link to this

Hey, AJC, bad editorial decision allowing Matthew’s second post to make it through, heavily censored as it might have been.

It’s a football game, dude. No reason to drop f-bombs and call people names. But I have provided my real e-mail address, so I guess you can use some of that language on me, if you’d like.

By Jim

September 4, 2005 03:44 PM | Link to this

Since I now live in Northern California it was great to see a game where the fans were really into the action. Er, that is until half the Auburn fans left the building mid fourth quarter.
Great game for Tech but that optional tackling stuff must inprove. We probably will not get five turnovers in every game.

By topher

September 4, 2005 03:50 PM | Link to this

I’m really impressed with the Auburn victory. Tech flat outplayed Auburn in every aspect. The secondary was suspect but will improve, but besides that they looked great. They rattled the freshman QB so bad that by the end of the game he couldn’t pick up on anything that the Tech defense was doing(4 picks in the second half, one fumble). What really impressed me was how well the jackets performed for 1 1/2 quarters without the nations best reciever Calvin Johnson(4 rec. 66 yds. in first half). No doubt if he was in there for that period of time Tech would have ended that game much earlier.

GO TECH! p.s. we have to take care of business the next two weeks vs. nc and uconn. We can’t do what we always do after winning a big game and lose to someone who we have no business losing to( duke in 2003 and unc in 2004)If we do that we can roll into the Virginia Tech game with a swagger and feeling confident.

By "The" Judge

September 4, 2005 04:23 PM | Link to this

Will someone please talk about Cox? That guy had some fantastic blocks and covers to lead PJ where he needed to go. Congrats to a great game - I knew we could do it!! Let’s keep the fun rolling into VT!

By Robert

September 4, 2005 05:06 PM | Link to this

I like our team, but the offensive play calling is still too way conservative when we have the smallest of leads. The Tech coaches have to realize that everyone KNOWS that they will run up the middle every down when Tech has a 3 point lead. That will not win many games. The defense cannot save Tech every time.

By Robert

September 4, 2005 05:09 PM | Link to this

It is wrong for anyone to say that Tech only won because of Auburns turnovers. Tech lead the entire game. And, those turnovers happened in the 4th quarter. Did the turnovers help Tech? Of course. Did they win it for Tech? Heck no.

By 20 20 vision

September 4, 2005 05:10 PM | Link to this

Great victory for tech. Defense made plays when needed ,kicking game great except for couple of kickoffs. Offensive line played way over there head. Play calling started good ,got conservative,how many times have we seen that.Recievers started great then started droping passes that should have been caught,how many times have we seen that.21 needs to hustle more.Watch him,he does not start running until the ball is thrown. He is a very talented young man but needs to go full speed all the time.Side lines are for rest not the plays. The QB has been taking the heat for everyones mistakes for to long lets put the blame where it goes.spresd around the players. But mostly on CHAN GAILEY

By stevo

September 4, 2005 05:14 PM | Link to this

Good win for the Techsters. But they better not be too high. Except for receivers and a couple good linemen, Auburn is in SEVERE rebuilding mode — and boy did it show. New starters all over the field, not just QB and RB. As one of the Alabama papers put it, they needed to be opening with Ball State this year so they could work out the kinks without getting their butts kicked. Tech just a better team right now — hope they have a good year.

By 94Dawg

September 4, 2005 05:56 PM | Link to this

“back on the national scene?” Please, whatever.

By wes

September 4, 2005 06:59 PM | Link to this

Whatever? GT will be nationally ranked and Tech is ALWAYS on the national scene. Ever heard of Thursday night football? And I also think Tech won a Prime Time game last night.

Anyhow, Jamal Lewis, Mike Cox, PJ, and Eric Henderson were OUTSTANDING! Henderson won several battles against a 6’7” GIANT! Man, he’s good.

However, Tech needs to develope a killer instinct, and fast. Whenever GT got the ball back on a quick turnover…u gotta admit they seemed lost (penalties etc..). But what a start. See you in ATL next week to cheer on the WHITE & GOLD!!!!!!!!

By Barbara

September 4, 2005 07:35 PM | Link to this

Does anyone REMEMBER WHO THE TECH PLAYER CALLED “THE BULL FROM TALLEDEGA”?

By Jim

September 4, 2005 08:46 PM | Link to this

Great game Boys! I was there and it was great. By the way, Kudos to the Auburn fans. Very classy. Unlike the crowd in Athens a few years back.

One observation: I don’t know why everyone is complaining about the conservative play calling. From my vantage point, I thought we should have run more. It seemed that we were rather effective when we did.

Keep the focus in the next couple of games Tech!

By jt.war eale

September 4, 2005 10:24 PM | Link to this

Congrats to the GT Yellow Jackets. As an AU man, it’s not easy to lose, but the better team Sat night came out victorious….no doubt

By VIRGINIA

September 4, 2005 10:25 PM | Link to this

I TOLD ALL OF YOU IF BALL GET THE BALL TO CALVIN JOHNSON, TECH WILL WIN THE GAME AND IT HAPPENED WITH MY PRAYER AND OTHERS. GOD BLESS THE TEAM COACHES, PARENTS AND ALL OF YOU MRS. ARNOLD

By feng_shui_ed

September 4, 2005 10:30 PM | Link to this

Hi Jim, I agree with you, the play calling and Tech’s ability to execute was a big part of the victory. Chan’s team looked very well prepared and they executed all aspects of the Game. It was one of Tech’s big victories. I have been critical of Chan in the past, but take my hat off to him for preparing well and doing a good job of field management of this game.

By jay jarrell

September 4, 2005 11:21 PM | Link to this

Someone needs to look at the history of the rivalry”, Tech upsets Auburn”?,MAN,I must be getting old.Fan-tastic,best play making since the 1990 national champs played! ROLL WRECK!

By Rob

September 4, 2005 11:37 PM | Link to this

I can’t remember a pass to Johnson that wasn’t a fade. I hope Chan has more plays up his sleeve for opponents with a better secondary.

By Mell Grove

September 5, 2005 02:30 AM | Link to this

Good article!! Congrats to all Jackets and fans!! This one was SPECIAL!! I was around in the 50’s and 60’s when we played the Tigers every year and it was and is a great rivalry…. Nice fans and classy program.. Just get past NC and UCONN and I will be elated. We will take our chances with Miami, VT and VA on the road..I have been optomistic before but this defense really looks quick and offense is really Ballin’ now

By Michael

September 5, 2005 04:55 AM | Link to this

Whats all the fuss about the Auburn QB and his turnovers…If it hadent been for the turnovers we wouldnt have won???Hey The Tech D caused the turnovers.Turnovers are part of the game.Tech popped the Auburn QB a few times and came hard ALL the time after him…I guess UGA wouldnt have won if Boise hadnt thrown the INTs either….On another topic Im amazed about the SI comments on Gailey being the worst coach in college football…what the …Chan Gailey is a Tremendous football coach and the ACC and the rest of the country is going to find that out this year and the next few years also.Anyone who thinks Chan is a bad coach is either an IDIOT or dosent have a clue about football.

By Michael

September 5, 2005 05:11 AM | Link to this

Hey 94dawg…your right about BACK on the National scene..Techs always been on the national scene..and yes even your pups have been on the SEC EAST scene a couple 2 or 3 years ago.Lets see how your qb handles pressure from a real D in the next few weeks before all you RED boys start proclaiming another National Championship.Remember the way DJ played in the Tech game last year,when he actually got preasure put on him?Im thinking thats probably the way he will play when your pups play the only 4 real teams on your schedule. ITS NEARLY BOW SEASON…YEEEEHAAAW..Time to let the air out of a few Dawgs uhmmmm I mean Deer…GO TECH

By bulkfryer

September 5, 2005 11:08 AM | Link to this

Tech played a great game Saturday night. I just want to go on record as saying Auburn was pitiful. I predict Tech will lose 4 or 5 games this season. Deep down you know they will also.

By Dave

September 5, 2005 11:41 AM | Link to this

See, if Tech were back in the SEC, you’d have five or six exciting games a year like this. Might even be able to fill your stadium with fans. Go ask South Carolina if they’d like to get back to the ACC to play their natural rivals. I bet they’d be willing to swap.

By UGA

September 5, 2005 12:10 PM | Link to this

Now UGA is not even the best team in Georgia! Jackets rule!

By GT1

September 5, 2005 12:32 PM | Link to this

I agree. GT is way better than those fleabags in hicksville. Go Jackets!

By jackets_are_top_ten_team

September 5, 2005 12:44 PM | Link to this

I’m going to have to slightly disagree with GT1’s comments and say that GT is not way better than UGA but WAY WAY WAY WAY BETTER. The jackets’ time has come. Easily a top ten team in a few weeks.

By Michael P Cameron

September 5, 2005 01:44 PM | Link to this

Chan Gailey coached wonderfully in the great win over Auburn. I was there. The AU atmosphere was electric, and Tech people added our own burst of amps. The players and coaches were sharp and confident. I wish more people in these blog spaces would give the unjustly oft-maligned gentleman his due credit. Coach Gailey’s play-calling was strongly conservative, which is a word that should usually carry positive connotations when used to describe football strategy. Besides, he called passing plays on numerous first downs, as well as running plays. And, Tech threw 36 passes, only eight less than Auburn’s 44, completing throws to several receivers, including the fantastic Calvinâ€â€?what about that 35 yard bomb for Tech’s first 7! But Tech simply operated with better balance, albeit with more rushing than throwing yardage, whereas Auburn’s yards were lopsidedly gained via the air. Tech outran Auburn, rushing for 139 yards compared to Auburn’s paltry cumulative total of 50 (you won’t win many games running for only 50). Tech was out-passed, 342 to 174. As is usually the case, and I’ve been following running vs. passing stats in college and pro ball since the early ‘80s just for fun, the runners beat the passers, despite the less glamorous aspects of moving the ball on the ground. Both rushing and passing are important elements. But defense is paramount and special teams play is critical. Kudos go to Tech’s new offensive line, place-kicker and punter, as well as the Yellow Jacket defense. While missing those two tackles that became Auburn’s only TDs and yielding over 300 yards through the air, Tech essentially convinced Coach Tuberville to make AU somewhat one-dimensional with almost exclusive passing, as writer Bradley noted. The Tech kicking game was strong, notwithstanding letting AU move a few kickoffs out a bit too far. Solid, well-coached teams like Tech want to run the ball “up the middle,â€? which is a classic staple of quality football, especially when protecting and trying to enlarge a small lead. A team is just as “predictableâ€? if they pass in typical passing situations. What about that second half draw to P.J. on third and long that produced a first down? There are good reasons that certain game situations mean it’s time to pass (predictable), e.g., trying to come back from a 21 point deficit in the fourth quarter, and time to run (predictable), e.g., trying to safeguard and ideally build on a fourth quarter lead. Also, most offensive players, especially linemen, love to realize the defense knows the offense is going to run right at them but that the offense can’t be stopped. That way may not be as pretty as spirals floating through the sky, but it means dominance and control, as in “We’re coming.â€? Many thousands of games have been won utilizing that tactic. Next comes UNC. The coach was aptly criticized by Mark Bradley last September for abandoning the run game prematurely and thus becoming too unconservative, as perhaps Coach Tuberville did last Saturday. But I don’t recall any fans fussing about that wide-open approach…because of the extreme bias in favor of continual passing. I feel confident that Tech’s players will be focused to the max on 9/10/05 and take care of business. Give the ball to P.J., heave it to Calvin, kick some 3sâ€â€?and tackle. Tech should prevail with gusto.

By volkar

September 5, 2005 08:14 PM | Link to this

Gailey and staff called a masterful game…Auburn always reactive and never had sustained momentum going for the entire 60 minuets. Ball threw well; knew when not to throw; and gave the tough leadership needed when things got difficult. They did not reley totally on Johnson…made it happen when he was sidelined. Defensive gaming was terrific. Auburn made halftime adjustments but couldn’t keep pace with Tech. Great team defense; good speed to the ball. Tough schedule ahead…but this could be a good year.

By Jackets fan

September 6, 2005 01:56 PM | Link to this

I think one guy who was key (and will be all year long) who didn’t get any credit is Travis Bell. He didn’t make any 50 yard field goals, but he made every one they asked him to, just like last season (with exception of his first attempt). And given what I saw in other games, making all your field goal attempts is key. The preseason All ACC kicker from Va Tech missed two and Miami pretty much kicked their way into the toilet last night. Both were tight games that could have swung either way with good kicking. So kudos to Bell. The winning formula seems to be in place: Run the ball (PJ), Stop the run (Tenuta), stretch out the defense (CJ) and put points on the board every chance you get (Bell).

 

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